What is it about the simple word 'baking' or 'baked' that conjures up such warm and fuzzy feelings inside us? For many of us, the word evokes memories of childhood days entering through our grandmother's front door to be greeted by the wonderful aroma of freshly baked gingerbread from the oven or running to her kitchen to find the statuesque cookie jar stacked tall with our favorite chewy or crisp cookies, or, the queen of lavishly frosted cakes standing tall perched on her cake pedestal in the middle of the dining room table beckoning the family to come sit and enjoy every mouth watering morsels - together. I think that is probably the connection. The word 'Baking' makes us think of 'home' and 'home' makes us think of 'family'. Those emotions spurred to life by the smells heavily laced with cinnamon, spice, and melted chocolate, or the pungent aroma of yeast emanating from freshly baked bread touch something in our soul. The nose knows and our heart responds. Those of us who are old enough, remember and recognize the association between these words. Because of time restraints upon the modern day family, the word 'baking' is losing its emotional tug, as fewer and fewer family cooks can find time to spend in the kitchen . It seems the word 'baking' is being lost in the dust of history, instead of children laughing with a dusting of flour upon their faces as they learn to bake in their mother's kitchen. Yes, some pieces are slipping away from the tapestry of family. In the past, there were two rooms in the home where family members congregated to share time together. The living room offered up a big couch and a couple of chairs to support the weight of family members while they sat together to bond, to laugh, to embrace being a family. But the living room could never compete with the kitchen, the room which offered that special something that could linger long after the mingling scents from food cooking had gone. In that room, alongside the wonderful aftermath of the smell of food baking away in the oven or the power of flavors as they mingled together could be found a family sitting together - bonding, laughing, encouraging, sympathizing - meeting each other's needs. Food carries with it powerful memories laced together with all of our senses - site, smell, taste, a sense of connection with others. Boxed food with its, many times, tasteless renderings can never compare to the goodness of the foods that our mothers and grandmothers took so much pride in setting on the table before their families. Sharing these wonderful foods laden heavily with taste and aroma with people we love, sitting together at the table with the rest of the world and its hustle and bustle put on pause for the moment, is the key that unlocks the reverence for the word 'baking'.
About the Author: Donna Watkins is an Arkansas word crafter who pens words to books and songs. Her repertoire of writings span several genres which include children's books and songs, a variety of cookbooks, gardening books, short stories, and adult fiction. She is a Member of SCBWI, NEA Writers Group, and, Heartland Writers Guild. Writing has been her lifelong passion and she believes reading and writing open the gates to curiosity and imagination where anything is possible. Donna writes with the anticipation and hope that her words might inform, inspire, and entertain those who pause to read them. Her desires are that her family treasures cookbooks will inspire families to once again enjoy meals together at home. The core of her writings for children resonate themes of goal setting, growth, responsibility, and respect for both others and the environment. As a retired CDM, CFPP working 20+ years in the field of dietetics, and having also received training as a master gardener, she hopes that her authored work spanning the genres of cookbooks and gardening books for youth (tweens/teens) will tweak their interest in foods and equip them with skills to carry over a lifetime. At present, twelve books have been published both in print and kindle versions. Three additional books are in the editing stages of production